TVAN reviews please

Gday wato35
look up the track trailer forum heaps of imfo on ther.

A lot depends on what you have previously had. If you have had a caravan you would find the storage pretty poor but if you are used to low storage, you probably won't think it so bad. We had a long hard look at TVans and if it was up to me, I might've taken the plunge but the bride felt it a bit claustrophobic and didn't like the lack of storage. I liked the go-anywhere and lightweight aspect and both our views were from a caravanner's perspective.

Hire one for a trip and see how you like it. Some people love them, some don't. To each his own.

Wato
I have a 05 Tavn, hasn't had as much use as I would like. You have to accept nothing is perfect and many things are a compromise with different vehicles.
As far as off road, no problems.
Storage isn't as big as a van but then what are you going to use it all for.
Vehicle economy is not substantially affected.
Under bed is a reasonable amount of storage and although they show plastic bins x 6, I have made 3 full length ply drawers with lids which utilize the space better. Other gear is carried in the canopy of vehicle/wagon.

At rear of bed you can also have a portable box for anything you use often. Just goes on floor at rear when using interior.
Depending of fuel jerries required you can use specifically made containers or boxes to fit in the sides or the front 3 spots for additional gear.

There is a locker on the RHS (varies in size with model/features)

I fitted a 60 litre car fuel tank forward of the axle and it can be used for fuel used while towing. Has internal electric pump, diesel to vehicle filler neck through a diesel fuel filter for water and gunk reasons.

When the vents are open and the rear has the mesh or the canvas extended there is air flow though and up. 12v fans ie , for 4wd use or large computer fan can be used to aid flow when really hot and provide cooling to the skin. You won't have your woolies on anyway.
In cold weather it is quite cosy inside.
Sleeping, we get in head first and sleep with feet to back. I slightly extended the end section and use a queen full size mattress.

If an earlier model they came with a short and long drawbar/A frame, longer ones clear rear doors on Prado/Pajero and have less ball weight applied to the ball for the same loading. I would prefer a longer one for that reason. All new are the longer, I believe.
I relocated battery to the rear , now see new Tvan has also.
Set up time is quick and if raining the hatch is released and the rest done largely under cover.

Solar panel and charger will assist the onboard battery if fridge is also used in the Tvan.
Camp chairs and table are carried on the bed and easy to access when required.

Rear deck when down but not fully out has an aluminium plate section to stand on, Nowhere near wide enough. I asked for it without and made my own wider one.

Dust, Only dust which got in came in through faulty manufacture of side panel meets floor rear of bed and was rectified.

I have just purchased one and had all the same fears that you and your wife are having.

All our fears have gone after a week away in high temperatures, the boss loves it.

We never used the fan and we were sleeping head to front and never touched the roof sitting up.

After tenting it for 45 years I should have purchased one years ago.

The second time we set up camp it took 7 minutes.

Hope that helps.

Don't know what state the OP is in but Idler's idea is a good 'un. Just remembered, there's hire available in every state through this network:



http://tracktrailer.com.au/contact-us/hire/

We bought our Tvan in 2008 and have travelled over 30 000 K's with it, Kimberly's, gulf country, Central Australia via the Flinders and Oodnadata and heaps of other places.
With the two of us storage was no problem but with a family it may be. The fridge is kept in the car and runs off a second battery.
My wife is a long term diabetic and has balance problems but she still manages to get in and out of the bed OK. We used to sleep with our heads to the front but we then up graded to a thicker innerspring Queen size mattress and now sleep with our heads towards the back. Fans are a good idea up north when temp starts to climb, we had a couple of 40 deg. days while in the Gregory NP in the NT without fans but still coped.
Where ever you go you will be limited by the vehicle you are towing the van with, not by the Tvan.
We have had a few wet periods while traveling and the fact that the tent packs up into the back door keeps every thing else nice and dry.
They may be more expensive than other campers but they are well built and the quality and design shines through.
The only way to be sure is, as already said, hire one for a weekend and try it to see if it fits your requirements.

Mal

We hired a Tvan in 2006, loved it and dreamed about owning one since.
We have had our Tvan for 2 years now. I love it and can't think of any cons.
We took it across the Simpson desert and up the Hay River Track last year, no worries.
Storage is plenty for us with a few bits carried in the Prado.
We have been camping in the heat, we have a fan and sleeping wasn't a problem. We have been camping in -5 winter weather and were so cosy inside.
I love been able to set up and pack up in no time at all. We keep it all packed and ready to go,so we are able to get away at short notice.
Our Tvan tows effortlessly behind us as we travel the roads. We choose the Tvan as it goes anywhere we want to go off road.